Spiess In Camp

The 20 year old shot stopper signed a pro contract with the club after completing his scholarship and is regarded as one of the club’s most exciting young prospects.

His impressive performances for County’s U-18 side attracted the interest of numerous top flight teams but he decided to remain at Meadow Lane with the aim of playing first team football.

During his time with County he has spent time on loan with Lewes and Corby Town.

He made his debut for the Magpies, from the bench, on the final day of the 2011/12 season against Colchester United. In 2012/13 he made a further seven first team appearances and signed a new contract with the club in July 2013.

This season he has appeared in two Johnstone’s Paint Trophy ties for County. Manager Darrell Clarke has spent a great deal of time on the telephone since Tuesday night, trying to secure a goalkeeper on an emergency loan following the injury sustained by Steve Mildenhall at Wrexham.

Permission also had to be obtained from the Vanarama Conference to bring in another player outside of the transfer window and that was only received late yesterday afternoon.

Rovers were given special dispensation by the Conference to bring in a young goalkeeper only after submitting medical evidence of the injuries sustained by Mildenhall and second choice keeper Will Puddy.

The only other keeper allocated a squad number, Kieran Preston, is still a second year scholar and has not played in Rovers first team.

Commenting on the decision this morning, the manager said; “The Conference granted us permission to bring in a young keeper with limited experience and it took a great many phone calls to find a player to fit that criteria.”

“I am grateful to everyone involved for allowing us to bring another keeper in and especially grateful to Notts County for letting us sign Fabian as he is an excellent goalkeeping prospect who has experience of playing in their first team.”

Chairman Nick Higgs also welcomed the news that we have been given permission to bring in another goalkeeper.

“I would like to welcome Fabian to the club and wish him every success whilst he’s with us.”

“I would also like to thank the Vanarama Conference for allowing us to sign Fabian on an emergency loan and Notts County for helping us out at such short notice.”

Steve Mildenhall’s scan results have revealed medial collateral ligament damage to his knee and he will be out of action for a minimum of four to six weeks.

THE MAGPIES VIEW OF THE DEAL IS BELOW.

Notts County goalkeeper Fabian Spiess has joined Vanarama Conference side Bristol Rovers on an initial one-month loan deal.

Spiess, who came through the youth ranks here at Meadow Lane, has made just two first team appearances for Notts this season, both in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, due largely to the outstanding form of summer signing Roy Carroll.

The 21-year-old will now be looking to secure regular first team action with promotion-chasing Rovers, who currently sit third in the Conference table, with Notts Manager Shaun Derry feeling that the club have sufficient cover in the form of Kevin Pilkington.

It was felt that the opportunity for Spiess to get valuable game time at this key stage in his career was key and the opportunity to do so at a well-established club in a highly competitive environment can only benefit the young German’s development.

Notts have included a 24-hour recall clause in the deal, should they need to bring Spiess back to Meadow Lane.

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